Ohio Man Freed After 18 Years in Prison
A man who spent 18 years behind bars was recently released after he was proven innocent of his charges.
The man was charged and jailed for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl in Ohio.
Man Accused of Rape
Robert McClendon, 52, was convicted of taking a 10-year-old relative from her backyard, blindfolding her and taking her to his house before raping her.
The victim reportedly told staff members at a hospital about the rape the day after it happened.
DNA Proves Man’s Innocence
After 18 years in prison, a lab re-examined the case and discovered that the DNA profile didn’t match evidence found at the crime scene.
The DNA was re-evaluated when DNA Diagnostics Center, a lab from Cincinnati, agreed to conduct tests on the prisoners for free.
Authorities had reportedly thrown away swabs from the victim’s medical exam, which is typically the best evidence for testing in cases involving rape.
“To be in prison for 18 years for something you didn’t do and the know you are going to walk out of court a free man, that’s a lot to take in one day,” says McClendon.
(Source: New Haven Register)
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